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Archive Replay
Tuesday, March 4, 2025
Sign of the Day
shop
The BSL sign for "shop" uses a dominant flat hand tapping the non-dominant palm, representing a place of transaction
A1 Very Common Noun British Sign Language (BSL) Neutral
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Dominant hand flat B-hand, fingers together, thumb tucked. Non-dominant hand flat B-hand, palm up
Dominant hand taps non-dominant palm repeatedly
Everyday discussions about retail, commerce, or places of purchase
Break It Down
Watch, build, and feel the movement
Use the numbered steps first, then check the sign anatomy cards to clean up the small details that make the sign look fluent instead of approximate.
How to form the sign
- Form a flat B-hand with dominant hand, palm down
- Form a flat B-hand with non-dominant hand, palm up
- Tap dominant hand onto non-dominant palm
- Repeat tap once or twice
Coach prompt
Practice the repeated tapping motion with the dominant hand on the non-dominant palm
Signature details
Handshape
Dominant hand flat B-hand, fingers together, thumb tucked. Non-dominant hand flat B-hand, palm up · Code B-hand (dominant), B-hand (non-dominant)
Dominant hand
Either
Symmetry
Asymmetric
Contact
Tap
Palm orientation
Dominant palm down, non-dominant palm up
Eyebrows
Neutral
Eye gaze
Forward
Head movement
None
Mouth morpheme
Mouth 'shop'
Body shift
None
Use It Today
Move from recognition to real-life use
Everything below is designed to make the sign sticky: where it feels natural, what learners miss, and how to use it without sounding robotic.
I'm going to the shop later
Can also mean "store" or "supermarket." Often mouthed
Best fit: Everyday discussions about retail, commerce, or places of purchase
Mirror focus
Practice the repeated tapping motion with the dominant hand on the non-dominant palm
Catch the slip
Ensure both hands are flat B-hands and the dominant hand taps the non-dominant
Use it today
I'm going to the shop later
Common mistakes: Confusing with 'money' or 'pay' due to similar location
When not to use it: When referring to the verb "to shop" (use 'go shopping')
Regional note: Minor variations in tapping or hand angle, but core sign is consistent
Cultural note: Common sign, often accompanied by mouthing "shop" for clarity
1.[en] I went to the shop. / BSL:[I GO SHOP]
2.[en] Is the shop open? / BSL:[SHOP OPEN QUESTION]
3.[en] Let's meet at the shop. / BSL:[MEET SHOP]
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Word web
Store
market
boutique
Home
online
Buy
sell
money
shopping
market
Buy
sell
money
supermarket
shopping
MONEY: Uses a dominant bent B-hand (or cupped hand) with a rubbing or circular motion on the non-dominant palm. 'Shop' uses a flat B-hand with distinct taps.
PAY: Uses the dominant G-hand (index finger) moving from the dominant hand's side to the non-dominant palm. 'Pay' is a single, clear transfer action, while 'shop' is a repeated tap for a place.
BUY: Uses a dominant flat O-hand or F-hand moving from the non-dominant palm upwards towards the signer. 'Shop' is the location; 'buy' is the act of purchasing
Retail
commerce
place
buying
Shop BSL
store BSL
shopping BSL
retail sign
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